Our Advisory Board
Advisory Visionaries
Virginia Mason Institute’s advisory board consists of seasoned leaders with expertise in healthcare operations, efficiency, and systems transformation. With a deep understanding of Virginia Mason’s renowned management methodology, they bring real-world experience to guide our mission of sustainable improvement and innovation in patient care.
Leadership
Ketul Patel, MHA, MBA, CEO, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Division President, Pacific Northwest CommonSpirit Health
Ketul J. Patel is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and President, Northwest Region, CommonSpirit Health. He most recently served as Division President of the PNW and CEO of CHI Franciscan, responsible for strategy network development and growth as well as overall operational management for the multi-state regional health care system. Previously, Patel served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Chief Operations Officer at Hackensack University Health Network and Hackensack University Medical Center located in northern New Jersey. His more than two decades of leadership experience also include executive roles with major health systems in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and San Diego. Patel has been honored regionally and nationally for his influence in health care.
Ketul J. Patel is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and President, Northwest Region, CommonSpirit Health. He most recently served as Division President of the PNW and CEO of CHI Franciscan, responsible for strategy network development and growth as well as overall operational management for the multi-state regional health care system. Previously, Patel served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Chief Operations Officer at Hackensack University Health Network and Hackensack University Medical Center located in northern New Jersey. His more than two decades of leadership experience also include executive roles with major health systems in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and San Diego. Patel has been honored regionally and nationally for his influence in health care.
Ingrid Gerbino, MD, FACP, VP and Chief Innovation Officer, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Ingrid Gerbino, MD, FACP, is Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Dr. Gerbino provides oversight for the strategic vision and continued development of Virginia Mason Institute and for the Kaizen Promotion Office and innovation strategy at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. She served as Chief for the Department of Primary Care at Virginia Mason from 2016 to 2021. She joined Virginia Mason in 1995, practicing general internal medicine and serving in various medical leadership roles and as Senior Physician Sensei for Virginia Mason Institute where she coached providers on effectively incorporating key elements of the Virginia Mason Production System® into their practice. Dr. Gerbino is a Kaizen Fellow graduate in the Virginia Mason Production System®.
Ingrid Gerbino, MD, FACP, is Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Dr. Gerbino provides oversight for the strategic vision and continued development of Virginia Mason Institute and for the Kaizen Promotion Office and innovation strategy at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. She served as Chief for the Department of Primary Care at Virginia Mason from 2016 to 2021. She joined Virginia Mason in 1995, practicing general internal medicine and serving in various medical leadership roles and as Senior Physician Sensei for Virginia Mason Institute where she coached providers on effectively incorporating key elements of the Virginia Mason Production System® into their practice. Dr. Gerbino is a Kaizen Fellow graduate in the Virginia Mason Production System®.
Carolyn Corvi
Carolyn Corvi was a member of the Board of Directors of Virginia Mason Health System and Virginia Mason Medical Center prior to joining the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors. She is the former vice president and general manager of Airplane Programs for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. She also serves on the corporate boards of United Airlines, Allegheny Technologies, Inc., and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. Carolyn is a member of Women Corporate Directors, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and was recognized by the Northwest Chapter of the NACD as the public company director of the year in 2013. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and master’s degree in management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Carolyn Corvi was a member of the Board of Directors of Virginia Mason Health System and Virginia Mason Medical Center prior to joining the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors. She is the former vice president and general manager of Airplane Programs for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. She also serves on the corporate boards of United Airlines, Allegheny Technologies, Inc., and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. Carolyn is a member of Women Corporate Directors, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and was recognized by the Northwest Chapter of the NACD as the public company director of the year in 2013. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and master’s degree in management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Robert (Bob) Lemon, Vice Chair
Bob Lemon has served as vice chair of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors since its formation in 2021 and chairs the Quality, Safety and Patient Experience Committee. Prior to his appointment to the VMFH Board of Directors, Bob served several terms on the boards of Virginia Mason Health System, Virginia Mason Medical Center and the Benaroya Research Institute. Bob spent his entire business career with Accenture LLP, including 21 years in various managing partner roles. He specialized in information technology, process improvement and large scale project management, principally in the health care industry.
Bob Lemon has served as vice chair of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors since its formation in 2021 and chairs the Quality, Safety and Patient Experience Committee. Prior to his appointment to the VMFH Board of Directors, Bob served several terms on the boards of Virginia Mason Health System, Virginia Mason Medical Center and the Benaroya Research Institute. Bob spent his entire business career with Accenture LLP, including 21 years in various managing partner roles. He specialized in information technology, process improvement and large scale project management, principally in the health care industry.
Diann Puls
Diann Puls served as a member of the CHI Franciscan Board prior to joining the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors. Diann is the former director of pension and risk for the Weyerhaeuser Company where she held numerous leadership roles during her career including financial services, internal auditing, and the treasurer’s department. Diann currently sits on the Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital Board and the Virginia Mason Institute Board. Diann has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Washington University.
Diann Puls served as a member of the CHI Franciscan Board prior to joining the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors. Diann is the former director of pension and risk for the Weyerhaeuser Company where she held numerous leadership roles during her career including financial services, internal auditing, and the treasurer’s department. Diann currently sits on the Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital Board and the Virginia Mason Institute Board. Diann has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Washington University.
Uli Chi, PhD, Chair
Uli Chi, PhD, has served as the chair of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors since it was formed in January 2021. He was previously the board chair of CHI Franciscan and has served in health care governance leadership for over thirty years. During his business career, Uli was an award-winning technology entrepreneur who founded and led a software company that developed 3-D virtual reality software to simplify complex decision-making for consumers and businesses. He holds a doctorate in computer science from the University of Washington. Uli is currently a senior fellow at the De Pree Center for Leadership and regularly writes and teaches on the subject of wisdom and leadership.
Uli Chi, PhD, has served as the chair of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board of Directors since it was formed in January 2021. He was previously the board chair of CHI Franciscan and has served in health care governance leadership for over thirty years. During his business career, Uli was an award-winning technology entrepreneur who founded and led a software company that developed 3-D virtual reality software to simplify complex decision-making for consumers and businesses. He holds a doctorate in computer science from the University of Washington. Uli is currently a senior fellow at the De Pree Center for Leadership and regularly writes and teaches on the subject of wisdom and leadership.